Monthly Archives: March 2012

Dear Rael,

I apologize for the delayed response. Thank you for your honest letter. They say a wise question is half an answer. Your question is no doubt wise and within its wisdom, I believe, lies the answer. I have taken the liberty of quoting your words in order to respond to your question:

The problem is both intellectual and the same time emotional.

To respond to an emotional question with an intellectual answer, or an intellectual question with an emotional answer, is obviously inadequate. As your question is both intellectual and emotional, I will address it both from the mind and the heart. Starting with intellectually:

Why is there the double standard? Why is contemporary Judaism so prudish, trying to create an artificially sanitized world disconnected from the experiences of the rest of mankind?

Very well put. The only correction I would make to your statement, is to change “contemporary Judaism” to “many contemporary Jews” who in their misunderstanding of core Judaism are so prudish…” Since its beginning, Judaism and its blueprint, the Torah, aims to refine the world so that it can be the best it can be. Rather than try to disconnect one from the experiences of the rest of mankind, the Torah actually focuses on connecting one’s experiences with the rest of mankind, in a pure and holy way. This is the Torah’s one and only standard. Every Mitzvah (translated as ‘connection’) we perform is meant to unite us with the world around us, humanity, and G-d. This is the reason we humans were sent to this earth (and do not remain in the lofty spiritual realms), to transform the material universe into a Divine home.

Why does it have to be such absolutes, why is there no room for grey, subtlety, balance?

You can ask the same question about music, and indeed about nature itself: Why are there only 7 notes or 12 half notes on the musical scale? Why do the laws of nature dictate deterministic and precisely defined rules? When played right, the absolutely defined musical notes allows to play music and lift the spirit to undefined places. And again, we are talking here not about how people interpret/distort Torah, but how Torah is in its original form: We live in a world of structure, and Torah’s goal is to help us elevate the structure to a state of spirit which transcends structure. Torah teaches us how to create connections, harmony and unity in a fragmented universe. As such it must be absolute in its principles and concrete in its foundations, lest the connections be flaky and weak. And these unwavering absolutes are subtle and balanced to the core. Think of it like the solid and unwavering roots of a tree, that then allow the tree to blossom in many directions, branching out, with leaves and fruits etc. Take away or weaken the solid foundation and the tree will not be able to “fly.”

Why are television/movies and literature out of bounds, but yet the Torah is free to delve and describe the full extent of existence?

We all have Free Will. If we choose to watch a movie, it is our choice alone. And the Torah’s purpose is not to remove our G-d-given Free Will. As stated above, the Torah wishes to provide a deeper option, a soul perspective, a unity amongst all things: Where the world at large says we “must” watch this film or follow this TV show, the Torah says one does not need a scripted show or pop experience to be the best they can be (at times, it may even detract). Sure movies are enjoyable but, from the Torah’s perspective, one’s soul descends into this world for a much deeper purpose: To create genuine connections with the people and world it comes in contact with. Technology, literature and the arts are tools to help us grow spiritually. When seen and used as such, they become part of the higher purpose. But so often they — the tools — become an end in itself, and then technology can enslave instead of emancipate us.

Of course, all of the above is dependent on one’s axioms: My axiom (borne out of skepticism, research, study) is that the Torah is a Divine blueprint for life and, thus, everything therein is meant to provide us with ways to better ourselves and help us fulfill the full potential of our lives. Therefore, every story in the Torah, no matter how it may seem to our finite minds, contains within it infinite wisdom and practical lessons how to live our lives to the fullest — emotionally, intellectually, psychologically and spiritually.

Without this axiomatic belief, the playing field changes…

The bottom line, and the question we should asking ourselves: Is what I’m doing right now the deepest, most soulful thing I can be doing?

Emotionally speaking: Do I love movies because they connect me to the world around me? Do I love Art, Entertainment, Science, Comedy, Philosophy because they make me a better, more refined person? Betterment, refinement, unity is all the Torah teaches, so clearly all the sciences, physical, social and political, including entertainment (if you call that a science), are mediums that can be used for spiritual development.

Sadly, Judaism has been hijacked by some who have rendered it into a lifeless, humorless, callous series of laws and ritual, with a vindictive G-d being an angry principal in heaven waiting to punish us, eliciting from us guilt, fear, demoralization and all the maladies that religion today is associated with. This is NOT the Judaism and Torah that I was taught. I share in your love of laughter and celebrating the zest and energy of life. G-d created us this way — and His Torah would never ask us to suppress that which makes us human — our free spirits. Indeed, the entire Torah came to free us from our material confines and the tentacles of social pressure. To discover our inner voices and to dance and sing our unique song. To allow is to become master of our fate and destiny — and instead of technology and modern cinema controlling us and our spirits, we control how to use it all for reaching the infinite and beyond.

I invite you to join me in this exhilarating journey, one ion which we can contribute to each other. Because after all, each of us is an indispensable musical note in one grand cosmic composition.

Of course, much more can be said on this topic and I look forward to continuing our dialogue.

As someone who seems to be inquisitive, I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of our offerings: In addition to our weekly email thoughts and our comprehensives website (meaningfullife.com), we also broadcast a weekly online class on relevant and provocative issues. This week’s class, for example, was on Why We Hate Accountability, and can be viewed here. The classes are streamed live every Wednesday night, 8:15PM EST, and can be viewed anytime afterwards on our video page.

We are also in the process of developing a series of online workshops on various topics, and are looking for feedback from you on issues that would be of interest to you or anyone you know. After reading your note, perhaps it may be a good idea to do a workshop on the inner meaning of the Torah’s (sometimes cryptic) narrative. We are also beginning to offer one-on-one study via Skype (for a nominal fee). Please let me know if you are interested in any of this, or if you have any suggestions on what programs and content offerings you would be interested in seeing from us.

We are dedicated to developing programs that speak to people’s spiritual, psychological and emotional needs, offering resonating and empowering life skills that help us all lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives — and yes, lives filled with bubbling laughter and exuberance. As such your thoughts and feedback are absolutely vital to make this a success. As I said, we are partners in our cosmic journey, each of us contributing an indispensable musical note to the grand Divine composition.

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Mendel Jacobson | Content Director

Meaningful Life Center

788 Eastern Parkway Suite 303

Brooklyn, NY 11213

718.774.6448 | www.meaningfullife.com